Wagon-tongue.



.UNITE STATES PATENT Enron.

FRED A. LONG AND NED 0. LONG,'OF WASHING-TON, IOWA.

WAGON-TONGUE.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRED A. LONG and NED C. LONG, citizens of the United States, residing at Washington, in the county of Viashington and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wagon-Tongues, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

Our invention relates to wagon tongues, and it is particularly directed to a novel ar rangement and construction that will facili-- tate the removal of the tongue from its appurtenances when the occasion so requires.

To the accomplishment of the recited object, and others coordinate therewith, the preferred embodiment of our invention resides in that construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and embraced within the scope of the appended claims.

In said drawings z-Figure I is a top plan view of the wagon tongue coupling embodyl ing our invention. Fig. II is a bottom plan view of the arrangement. Fig. III is a central longitudinal section of Fig. I. Fig. IV is a plan view in detail of the tongue extremity, and Fig. V is a top plan view of the tongue coupling illustrating a modification of the hammer-strap and its appurtenances therewith.

Referring to the drawings for a detail description of our invention, the numeral 5 designates the inner terminal of the tongue proper, the proximal end of which is enlarged, as at 6, and presents a diminution of thickness from this point to its distal end, adjacent which it is rabbeted on opposite sides, as at 7 and 8. The terminal portion of the tongue is arranged medially of the j hounds (9), the enlargement (6) being interposed with respect to the outer ends of said hounds and secured thereto by the bolt (10), which extends through the metallic plate (11) and the substantially U-sha ed retaining bracket (12), the latter being astened on the lower sides of the hounds by the coupling bolts (13), or other equivalent fastenings. The rabbeted portions (7) of the tongue are designed to lie contiguous the transversely extending pivot rod (7 The extremital portion which is provided with a rabbet (8), as hereinbefore explained, presents what is commonly known as a tenon for cooperation with the Ushaped socket (1 1) which is struck-up centrally of the metallic 5 Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. October 1 1,

strip (15),

Patented June 8,1909.

1908. Serial No. 457,677.

the latter having opposed laterally defiected terminals (16) projecting beyond the sides of said hounds to form legs adapted to engage the running gear and limit the pivotal movement of said hounds, and being attached to the cross beam (17) by the bolts (18).-

In Fig. I we have shown the use of a ham mer-strap comprising a semi-circular portion (19) and a lateral projection (20), the terminals of said portions and projection being fixed to the hounds (9) at 21, and the plate (11), at 22, respectively.

In Fig. V of the accompanying drawings We have illustrated a slight modification of the hammer-strap, the same having the general conformation of a T and being fastened, to the cross beam and plate (11) by the bolts (23) and bolt (10), respectively.

From theforegoing description it will be perceived that the tongue (5) may be readily detached from the hounds (9) by with drawing the bolt (1.0) and thereby obviating the necessity of removing a tongue and all of its appurtenances as an entirety as has heretofore been the case.

Manifestly, the means we have devised will be of considerable advantage in cold and inclement weather as if the vehicle is in the open the tongue may be removed and thus preserved in any convenient dry place free from the destructive elements of the weather. Furthermore, this detachable feature would be of marked assistance in unloading operations especially when the latter are confined to a minimum space.

The invention is simple in construction and operation and consequently may be manufactured at a sufficiently low cost to permit of its adoption generally.

Having thus described the invention is claimed as new is 1. In a device of the class specified, the combination of a pair of hounds the forward. ends of which are connected by a plate, a cross beam connecting the opposite ends of said hounds, and having on one side a recess disposed above the plane of said glate, a meta ic strip dispose longitudinaly of said cross beam having a struck-out U- shaped dportion overlying said recess, a tongue isposed and having a reduced extremity which is designed to enter the opening formed by said recess and U-shaped portion of said metallic strip, and a substantlallyT-shaped hammer What intermediate said hounds strap having one limb connected to said I said hound s, a tongue disposed intermediate plate and its other limb to said cross bar. the said hounds and having a reduced ex- 2. In a device of the character s ecified, tremity to enter the opening formed by the the combination of a pair of tongue liounds, recess and U-shaped portion of the metallic 5 a cross beam connecting said hounds and I strip.

having a recess arranged medially on one In testimony whereof We hereunto a side thereof, a transversely extending pivot our signatures 1n presence of two nntnesnes. rod combined With sald hounds, a metalhc strip secured longitudinally of said cross 0 beam having a central U-shaped portion 1 i overlying said recess, and its opposite ends lVitnesses: 1projecting laterally beyond the sides of said CLIFFORD THoRNE, ounds forming legs to engage the running ELIZABETH IRWIN.

gear and limit the pivotal movement of the llix 

